NZ’s top professional engineers say it’s a pipedream to think the country can have 90% renewable energy by 2025. IPENZ, the Institution of Professional Engineers has released a report on electricity generation and by its calculations, the amount of power generated in NZ from renewable sources - such as hydro, wind and geothermal - will only be about 71% in 15 years. In a blow to the Govt’s aspirations, it says 90% is not, and never was, a practical target.

IPENZ says progress towards the 90% target had been by chance, driven by technology improvements and a move away from low-cost Maui gas, which make renewable projects, particularly wind, more competitive. It has called on the Govt to remove the 90% objective and recognise progress towards reducing emissions from electricity generation would depend on the success, or otherwise, of the emissions trading scheme, a political minefield at best.

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And in a note which should concern business, IPENZ says NZ’s high reliance on climate-related generation, limited storage and isolation makes its electricity supply vulnerable. It warns security of supply is by no means assured over the next decade to 15 years, and even with an upgraded transmission system things will still be very tight. The Govt has much work to do.

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